y, and that Bryce Petty will start if Fitzpatrick isnt ready.Pe

A weakened U.S. basketball team believes its still the strongest one in the Olympics.LeBron James, Stephen Curry and enough stars to fill an All-NBA team passed on playing, leaving the Americans with a roster that falls short against the Dream Team comparisons they always face.But the U.S. doesnt need to beat the Dream Team, or to be one. It just has to be the best in Brazil.I respect the guys that declined the opportunity, but I think we still have a great team here, a lot of talent, center DeMarcus Cousins said. We still have the same goal in mind, winning the gold medal.The Americans remain favored to do that, which would give them three in a row. Some things to watch as they try:THE U.S. ROSTERWhile theyre not the Dream Team, the U.S. squad in Rio is still an impressive group of players. The team includes: Golden States Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green; New Yorks Carmelo Anthony; Clevelands Kyrie Irving; Torontos Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan; Indianas Paul George; Dallas Harrison Barnes; Chicagos Jimmy Butler; Sacramentos DeMarcus Cousins and the Clippers DeAndre Jordan.THE FORMATTwo six-team groups. Each team faces the others in its pool, and the top four teams in each advance to the quarterfinals.Group A features the U.S., Serbia, France, China, Australia, and Venezuela.Group B is Spain, Lithuania, Brazil, Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria.WHICH GROUP IS TOUGHER?Group A is more top-heavy, with the U.S., Serbia and France finishing 1-2-3 in the Basketball World Cup two years ago. But Group B appears to be deeper, with Spain (No. 2), Lithuania (3), Argentina (4), Brazil (9) and Croatia (12) all among the top dozen ranked teams in the world.GRAB A SEAT, THIS WILL BE A WHILEThe Olympic basketball tournament runs nearly the entire length of the Games, making the first round of the NBA playoffs seem speedy. Competition begins Aug. 6, the day after the opening ceremony, and the medal games are Aug. 21, the day of the closing ceremony.ROLLING INTO RIOThe U.S. has won 63 straight games, 45 in FIBA competitions and 18 in exhibition play.CAPTAIN AMERICACarmelo Anthony will become the first U.S. mens player to appear in four Olympics, and become the most decorated mens basketball Olympian ever if the U.S. wins a medal. He has a bronze from 2004 and golds in Beijing and London.THIRD TIME THE CHARM?Spain sure hopes this is the year it can break through, after pushing the U.S. deep into the final minutes of the last two gold-medal games. The Americans emerged with a 118-107 victory in 2008 and held on to win 107-100 in London. The Spanish bring back veterans such as Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon and Juan Carlos Navarro for a final shot.GOODBYE, GOLDEN GENERATIONThis certainly seems like the end for Argentinas greats, who won gold in 2004, bronze in 2008 and narrowly missed another medal when they finished fourth in 2012. Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni are back, with Scola chosen as Argentinas flag bearer.BEST FIRST-ROUND DAYGroup B has some intriguing games on Aug. 13. Spain meets Lithuania in a rematch of the 2015 EuroBasket championship game, and Brazil and Argentina renew a fierce rivalry thats seen one knock the other out of the last three major international tournaments. Argentina eliminated Brazil in the 2010 world championship and 2012 Olympics, while the Brazilians -- coached by Ruben Magnano, who led Argentina to its 2004 gold -- ended the Argentinians stay in the 2014 Basketball World Cup. Croatia and Nigeria meet in the nightcap.MEN IN THE MIDDLESpain is keeping Marc Gasol on its roster for now and Australia is doing the same with Andrew Bogut, hoping their centers can return from injuries during the NBA season. France has added Utahs Rudy Gobert to its Rio roster after his recovery from injuries kept him out of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament it won in early July.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Darius Slay Jr Lions Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Marvin Jones Jr Youth Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. http://www.lionsfanspro.com/Black-Kenny-Golladay-Lions-Jersey.html?cat=929 . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Austin Bryant Youth Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Darius Slay Jr Youth Jersey . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, recovering from a sprained MCL in his left knee, believes he will be healthy enough to start Sunday against the Rams, a league source told ESPNs Ed Werder.Jets head coach Todd Bowles has said Fitzpatrick must practice this week in order to play, and that Bryce Petty will start if Fitzpatrick isnt ready.Petty replaced Fitzpatrick for four snaps Sunday, completing both pass attempts and finishing off a drive that resulted in a field goal. It was his first regular-season action.Fitzpatrick, who has thrown a league-leading 13 interceptions this season, was injured when Dolphins defensive lineman Jordan Phillips rolled into his left knee. Fitzpatrick was examined on the sideline annd returned for the next series.ddddddddddddJets fans have clamored for Petty to play, but Bowles gave Fitzpatrick an unequivocal vote of confidence after the game.Bowles hinted earlier in the season that he may turn to Petty at some point, but its believed that he wants to re-evaluate during the teams Week 11 bye.The Jets (3-6) dont have an experienced backup, as Geno Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago. The only quarterbacks on the bench are Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg, who has yet to dress for a game.ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini contributed to this report. ' ' '